Released 24th January, “Superego” is the second single from new Tru Thoughts signing Slowe (AKA Sophie Hawes). Sweetness abounds on this retro-tinged slow jam from the Bristol-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist and songwriter. “Superego” provides a beautifully evocative introduction to Slowe’s well-developed but versatile sound with delicate, soul-inflected melodies and juxtaposing boom-bap drum line. The single follows her debut release “WYLTK”, which garnered support from Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), James Threlfall (BBC Introducing), Don Letts (BBC 6 Music), Laurent Garnier and Bill Brewster.
Slowe explains, “a quote I found said ‘superego is the part of a person’s mind or personality, that tells them how to behave based on learned morals and values’”. The lyrics stemmed from this concept, as Sophie explored the to-and-fro of her ethics versus instincts.
The honeyed vocals lie between the soft and spacious keys, musing on the conflicts of the id, ego and superego. Forming from life experiences and interactions with others, the superego “keeps your ego in check”, Slowe adds. This balancing act can seem like it’s working against your best interests. In this conversation with herself, Sophie describes the superego as overbearing at times, like ‘the shadow on [her] shoulder’, steering her headspace for better or worse and confusing her emotional bearings.
As each instrument brings a different mood to the foreground, they parallel parts of the self that are competing for the final word. The scramble to gather her thoughts is mirrored in the “strong…almost frantic”, rolling hip-hop drums. The gentle bassline, played by close friend Samuel Fox, hums throughout the track and weaves between the chords. Before the transformative bridge, Slowe’s friend Laurence Fazakerley Buglass continues her velvety, effortless cadence with his groove-laden guitar solo. The listener is then left suitably unanswered after the line “I don’t know where it ends”, where the song finishes.
Raised in the Welsh border town of Chepstow, Slowe has been writing music and performing in bands since her teens. During a gigging hiatus, she found herself gravitating towards self-sufficient production, turning her hand to an array of instruments – including flute, keys and guitar – to recreate the styles of her favourite producers utilising her musical talent, passion and creative understanding.
Slowe’s DIY approach is reminiscent of lo-fi beat-making; delicately layering together session recordings, and repurposing techniques akin to those of J Dilla and Madlib. The result is both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary, with sparkling Rhodes, vintage drum lines, and buttery vocals. The combination of Slowe’s radiant lilts and introspective lyricism atop the fuzzy, analogue warmth makes for swooning escapism.
An avid crate-digger, Slowe naturally takes inspiration from a plethora of genres, and you can hear nods to her extensive references, from Tyler the Creator and Tame Impala to Erykah Badu. “I would say my earlier influences (Laura Marling, Jeff Buckley) inspire my songwriting and lyrics” Slowe explains, “whereas my later influences of soul, hip hop and jazz inform my production.” Bristol’s vibrant music scene is reflected in Slowe’s latest project, not only in its collaborations but in its collapse of space between genres. Slowe delves into these influences in her latest DJ Mix for Tru Thoughts.
